Drive-by shooting suspect enters plea in police dog stabbing

Jan. 18, 2018

STANTON, Mich. (AP) — A drive-by shooting suspect who authorities say stabbed and wounded a Michigan State Police dog in August has pleaded guilty in the case.

The Daily News of Greenville reports 33-year-old Jose Perez Jr. of Grand Rapids entered pleas Wednesday in Montcalm County's Circuit Court in Stanton to firing a gun at a building and causing serious injury to a police dog. He's awaiting sentencing.

The German shepherd named Bolt was stabbed in the neck when chasing two suspects following a drive-by shooting in Reynolds Township, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. Bolt was treated afterward at an animal hospital. The dog lives with Trooper David Cardenas, a canine handler.

The other suspect, 29-year-old Victoria Groth of Grand Rapids, previously pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing a police officer.